Hannon Resigns His Tourist Post

Joseph Hannon, who resigned Friday as managing director of McCormick Place, submitted another resignation Tuesday as president of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau.

Tuesday`s resignation was accepted immediately by the convention bureau`s board of directors.

Don DePorter, chairman of the convention bureau and regional vice president of the Hyatt Hotels in Chicago, said Hannon was voted one year`s salary of $52,500, plus $7,500 in deferred compensation by the bureau`s board members.

Hannon had 1 1/2 years left on his contract with the convention bureau.

When he resigned from McCormick Place, Hannon was granted $11,500 in salary and vacation pay and $22,500 in deferred compensation.

DePorter said the resignation was Hannon`s decision. ``He did not want to hamper the convention bureau with the negative press he`s received,`` DePorter said. ``The board gave him a standing ovation when he left.``

DePorter praised Hannon for providing ``a very strong foundation on which to build and grow. His legacy is one of achievement.``

Hannon became the center of controversy in recent weeks with reports of $65 million in cost overruns in the ongoing construction of the McCormick Place annex.

McCormick Place officials have asked for additional funds from the state legislature to finance the annex, but many legislators have contended that McCormick Place management should have maintained more control on costs in the expansion project. Senate President Philip Rock (D., Oak Park) has asked for the entire McCormick Place board of directors to resign as the price of further funding from the legislature.

Hannon got into more trouble when it was disclosed that he had borrowed $390,000 to finance the purchase of his $500,000 penthouse home using a bank whose chairman stands to benefit from the McCormick Place expansion.

DePorter said he will assume Hannon`s title as president of the convention bureau and serve without pay.

He said the day-to-day operations of the bureau would be taken over by Gerald J. Roper, executive vice president for marketing and sales.